Governor Peter Underwood gives his address at the Anzac Day Service at the Hobart Cenotaph. Picture: LUKE BOWDENSource: News Corp Australia

TASMANIA'S Governor has declared Simpson's donkey needs less emphasis and peace studies more in the centenary year of World War I.

Peter Underwood delivered another stinging rebuke of Anzac Day's “sentimental myths”, saying Australia needed to understand the truth of its involvement in war.

He called for peace studies centres to be funded and for the Gallipoli centenary to be a designated the “Year of Peace”.

“We should spend less time studying Simpson's donkey and more time looking at why we were fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan for so long,” Mr Underwood told the large crowd at Hobart's Anzac Day ceremony.

“Simpson and his donkey is a wonderful story of selfless service, putting yourself in the line of fire and ultimately dying for your mates,” he said. “It is part and parcel of Australia's history and it should continue to be taught and talked about every single Anzac Day, indeed every day of the year.”

Comments on this story

Ian Hicks of Barnes Bay Posted at 11:15 AM May 04, 2014

Governor,
I am a Vietnam Veteran and was at the Cenotaph listening to your speech and at the time, I commented to colleagues that your speech was excellent and appropriate. Well done and your comments need to be heard and the furore over them, has done just that.
Thank you for making a difference. I congratulate you.
Ian

Elizabeth Hastings of New Town Posted at 11:18 PM April 26, 2014

Peter Underwoods's call for peace studies doesn't undermine the sentiments of Anzac. The first World War was dubbed the war to end wars. Unfortunately it didn't, but a call for peace completely supports the original sentiment. Mr Underwood may be anti war but who is pro war for heavens sake?

Anthony McGlone of Carlton Posted at 9:29 PM April 26, 2014

With the greatest respect Governor, we know how to live in peace, it has usually been others who have forced war on us.